Collaborative spaces for GIS-based multimedia cartography in blended environments

The interaction spaces between instructors and learners in the traditional face-to-face classroom environment are being changed by the diffusion and adoption of many forms of computer-based pedagogy. An integrated understanding of these evolving interaction spaces together with how they interconnect and leverage learning are needed to develop meaningful strategies for effective teaching and learning. The 18i collaborative interaction spaces model was designed based on constructivist principles, and describes 18 mixed instructor–learner spaces contextualized at a finer operational scale that makes explicit a wider range of interactions. The model was implemented during the life cycle of an undergraduate GIS-based multimedia cartography course. One output was the generation of a repository of rule-based trajectory plans for rapid planning and problem solving. The model provides an integrated workflow to manage course contents, products, interactions, individuality, and learning styles in blended environments.     

Fluid flow stability analysis of multilayer fiber drawing

We here investigate drawing of multi-layered Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid fibers, drawn under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. We first develop one-dimensional equations governing mass, momentum, and energy balances and solve them numerically to obtain steady state draw root shape, velocity, and temperature profiles. These solutions are then used to perform linear stability analysis. For the case of isothermal draw, the system displays an oscillatory instability when the draw ratio (ratio of cross-sectional areas of fiber at the entrance and exit of the drawing) is higher than a critical draw ratio (highest stable draw ratio) of about 20.21. Investigation of stability behavior under non-isothermal draw conditions is performed by considering radiative heating and convective cooling. Employing only radiative heating enhances the critical draw ratio, and simultaneous heating and convective cooling increase the critical draw ratio even further. For the case of simultaneous heating and cooling, with increasing convective cooling strength, the critical draw ratio first increases, reaches a maximum, and then gradually decreases. However, with only convective cooling, the critical draw ratio decreases with an increase in convective cooling strength. We also find that the stabilizing effect of a non-isothermal operation can be enhanced by considering fluids with higher viscosity sensitivity to temperature, increasing the maximum temperature, and for sharper attenuation of the fiber cross-sectional area with length. For the case of isothermal drawing of non-Newtonian fluid fibers, the system has a higher critical draw ratio for shear thickening fluids (power-law exponent, n>1). In contrast, the use of a shear thinning fluid (n<1) reduces the critical draw ratio. Consideration of a non-isothermal operation of non-Newtonian fluid fibers reveals that the critical draw ratio is primarily determined by the non-Newtonian behavior rather than the non-isothermal drawing.     

Role of hydrogen in electrical and structural characteristics of bilayer CdTe/Mn diluted magnetic semiconductor thin films

Bilayer thin films of diluted magnetic semiconductor CdTe/Mn have been prepared using vacuum thermal evaporation method at pressure of 10⁻⁵ torr. Annealing of bilayer thin films has been performed in atmospheric condition at constant temperature 400 °C for 1 hour. Hydrogenation of as-grown and annealed bilayer thin films has been performed by keeping these in hydrogenation cell. Structural characteristics of as-grown and heat treated thin films have been performed by X-ray diffractometer. Current–voltage characteristics of both as-grown hydrogenated and annealed hydrogenated bilayer thin films have been studied to find out the effect of hydrogenation. Surface topography of as-grown and annealed bilayer thin films has been confirmed by optical microscopy.     

Development of a Liposome Based Contraceptive System for Intravaginal Administration of Progesterone

Progesterone bearing liposomes were prepared by the cast film method and characterized for various physical attributes. The liposomes could encapsulate nearly 98% of the drug. The progesterone bearing liposomes were incorporated into polyacrylamide gel and the drug content was determined. The in vitro drug dqfusion across she-goat vaginal membrane from the liposomal formulation was found to follow near zero order kinetics. The progestational activity of liposomal and control gel was assessed by monitoring the effect on the formation of corpora lutea. It was observed that both the formulations inhibit the formation of corpora lutea and thus, exhibited progestationul activity but the efsect of liposomal preparation was found to be greater and prolonged as compare to control gel.     

Engineering nanoporosity for Ti ion irradiated Mylar (PET) polymer by positron beam

The interconnected, molecular sized pores of microporous materials as well as of nonporous materials are of great interest for absorption, separation and catalytic applications because of their large accessible surface area. Swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation is a useful technique for the physical and chemical modifications of the polymers. To obtain calibrated pores in cylindrical shape the etching rate along the tracks should be essentially higher than the etching rate of undamaged polymer. Multiple pores, due to overlapping of the pores and inhomogeneous pore distribution, may arise due to high pore density and non-uniform target thickness. The shape of the pores in the polymers is affected by the conditions of chemical etching used for enlarging the latent track. It is well-established that pore size is the determining parameter for hydrogen storage as well as for nanofiltration. Slow positron beam in addition to Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy (DBS) is a useful technique to evaluate the nanoporosity of polymers.     

Multiple-wavelength focusing of surface plasmons with a nonperiodic nanoslit coupler

A novel type of multiple-wavelength focusing plasmonic coupler based on a nonperiodic nanoslit array is designed and experimentally demonstrated. An array of nanoslits patterned on a thin metal film is used to couple free-space light into surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and simultaneously focus different-wavelength SPPs into arbitrary predefined locations in the two-dimensional plane. We design and fabricate a compact triplexer on a glass substrate with an integrated silicon photodetector. The photocurrent spectra demonstrate that the incident light is effectively coupled to SPPs and routed into three different focal spots depending on the wavelength. The proposed scheme provides a simple method of building wavelength-division multiplexing and spectral filtering elements, integrated with other plasmonic and optoelectronic devices.     

Noncausal Gauss Markov random fields: parameter structure andestimation

The parameter structure of noncausal homogeneous Gauss Markov random fields (GMRF) defined on finite lattices is studied. For first-order (nearest neighbor) and a special class of second-order fields, a complete characterization of the parameter space and a fast implementation of the maximum likelihood estimator of the field parameters are provided. For general higher order fields, tight bounds for the parameter space are presented and an efficient procedure for ML estimation is described. Experimental results illustrate the application of the approach presented and the viability of the present method in fitting noncausal models to 2-D data     

Aligning content rendering resolution and feature size with display capability in near‐eye display systems

In order to create a satisfying experience with near‐eye displays, the content must be adapted to be legible on the display used. New displays are using subpixel arrangements that can limit the minimum resolvable feature size to something greater than with the conventional RGB stripe arrangement. We conducted an experiment to measure the minimum and preferred size of text in two virtual reality (VR) displays systems and find that the text size is display limited. We then measure several displays with different pixel arrangements to determine whether the subpixel arrangement could impact legibility. We propose several Fourier metrics that can be computed from the measured data to categorize the capability of the display and describe a framework for selecting the appropriate content from a set of discrete tiers.     

Aligned CNT/Polymer nanocomposite membranes for hydrogen separation

CNT/Polymer nanocomposites have been fabricated by dispersing (0.1%) weight fraction of SWNT and MWNT in polycarbonate matrix separately using benzene as a solvent. Alignment has been performed by inducing DC electric field (500 V/cm). X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed to confirmation of SWNT, MWNT and their presence in PC matrix. Gas permeability has been found to be increased in aligned CNT/polymer nanocomposites comparison to random dispersed CNT/polymer nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity in aligned CNT/polymer composite membranes indicates two resistive regions. Experimental results exhibits here that CNT/polymer nanocomposite membranes can be used as good hydrogen separating media. Surface morphology of aligned CNT/polymer nanocomposites was confirmed by optical microscopy.